West Side Drive-in
125 Narrows Road,
Larksville,
PA
18651
125 Narrows Road,
Larksville,
PA
18651
2 people favorited this theater
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Actually, the West Side Drive-In completed its construction exactly hours before the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), including its local station WILK-TV (now WNEP-TV), began telecasting the grand opening to Disneyland. The West Side Drive-In didn’t open its gates until 6 days later.
The West Side Drive-In opened its gates on July 23, 1955 with Charlton Heston in “Far Horizons” and Dale Robertson in “Top Of The World”.
From the Sept. 10, 1955 issue of Billboard:
“The West Side Drive-In, Kingston Corner, Pa., between Kingston and Plymouth, Pa., on Route 11, was opened recently. It has a 1,000-car capacity and is operated by Tom Walker, Comerford Theaters, Robert Rowland and Charles Stecker.”
The address for this theater was 125 Narrows Rd. Larksville PA 18651. Though overgrown, most ramps and the concession stand foundation are still visible.
Please update.
As of May 31st, 2017 it appears nothing has been done to the property at all.
Narrows Rd at Clearview Dr
Larksville, PA 18651
July 17th, 1955 grand opening ad in photo section.
This single screen drive-in was definitely operating during the 1980s when I went to Wyoming Valley West High School. The school bus drove past every day, and when I got my drivers license, I went there several times with friends. I think Top Gun & Pretty in Pink was one double bill.
Since they charged admission per person, I even did the old “sneak 2 friends in the trunk” game. Dad’s 1977 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham had a trunk the size of a studio apartment! Ah the good old days.
Here is a map with the location:
http://www.sharperembroidery.com/contact.php
Here is some more geographic information:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~paluzern/patk/larks.htm
Here is part of a 2/25/99 article from the Wilkes Barre Times-Leader. You have to pay a couple of bucks to the paper if you want to read the rest:
LT. GOV. PLANTS SEEDS FOR NEW PROGRAMS FORMER DRIVE-IN THEATER WILL BE THE SITE OF AN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM AND RECREATION FACILITIES
Source: JOHN DECKER and JOE HEALEY; Times Leader Staff Writers
WILKES-BARRE- A former Larksville drive-in theater is being resurrected in hopes it will again attract young people. The West Side Drive-in will be the site of an adventure center for students and others in the Wyoming Valley West community. Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker on Wednesday announced a $100,000 grant to build a domed facility that will house the district’s alternative education program and recreational facilities for district residents. Schweiker also announced funding
Published on February 25, 1999, Page 1A, Times Leader, The (Wilkes Barre, PA)